Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, delivered the verdict on Monday, marking the end of a long and emotional trial.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide, after the court held that the prosecution successfully proved he caused the death of his wife on 8 April 2022.
“The prosecution discharged the burden of proof placed on it by law,” Justice Nwosu-Iheme ruled.
Nwachukwu was first arraigned on 3 June 2022 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on behalf of the Federal Government.
He faced a 23-count charge ranging from culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, among others.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the late Osinachi’s children, and tendered 25 documents as evidence.
The defence team, led by Reginald Nwali, called four witnesses and submitted four exhibits in an effort to absolve Nwachukwu of the charges.
Before sentencing, Nwali made a passionate plea, asking the court for leniency. However, the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imana, urged the court to uphold the law without fear or favour.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1. In addition, he received two years’ imprisonment each for Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months’ imprisonment on Count 10; three years’ imprisonment on Count 11; and fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.
The case had drawn national outrage after Osinachi’s sudden death at 42.
Known for her powerful voice on the hit song “Ekwueme,” Osinachi’s passing initially sparked rumours of throat cancer. However, close friends and family soon revealed she had allegedly endured years of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband.
The revelations were chilling. Friends, including fellow gospel artistes, claimed Osinachi suffered physical assault that eventually led to her death.
Her family also alleged that Nwachukwu was secretly married to another woman before meeting Osinachi, further deepening the betrayal.
In the days following her death, the Federal Government vowed to ensure justice was served and promised support for the late singer’s four children.
Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, where Osinachi worshipped, broke his silence at the time, confirming that the late singer had kept her domestic troubles away from him.
Despite Nwachukwu’s denial of any wrongdoing, Monday’s judgment finally brings some closure to a case that left many Nigerians heartbroken and calling for stronger protections for victims of domestic abuse.
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